(Photo from Booking.com) 

Recommended Stays

Last month my husband and I tried to get away on the weekends a bit more, and it reminded me how many people ask the same question:

 “Where should we actually stay around here?”

After staying in a few different places over the last couple of years, here are the ones I keep recommending to friends and readers who want that same quiet, authentic feeling I write about every week.

Gibson Inn – Apalachicola This is still my absolute favorite spot right in the heart of town. Built in 1857, it feels like stepping back into old Florida with its creaky wooden floors, big front porch lined with rocking chairs, and location just steps from the river and downtown. We loved the charm and how it actually makes you feel like you’re part of the town instead of just visiting it.

 Click for the Gibson Inn 

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Camping at T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park (St. Joe) If you want the real Forgotten Coast experience, nothing beats waking up to the sound of the water. Last month we camped here and it was perfect — beautiful sites, easy access to both the Gulf beach and the bay, and that peaceful, unhurried feeling you can’t get anywhere else. Check availability & make reservations (official Florida State Parks site)

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Vacation rentals & homes in Santa Rosa Beach / 30A For something a little more modern while still being close enough for easy day trips to Apalachicola, we previously stayed in an Airbnb in Santa Rosa Beach and loved the walkability and community feel. One place I’m really hoping to stay at one day is The Pearl Hotel in Rosemary Beach — it looks like the perfect mix of luxury and that laid-back 30A charm.

(Pearl Hotel Photo Below...) 

I only share places we’ve actually stayed in (or are genuinely excited about) and would happily send friends or family to. My goal is simple: to

make it a little easier for you to experience the same quiet magic of this coast.

**This article has some affiliate links – if you book through this, I may earn enough to buy a large cafe con leche at no extra cost to you, and thank you for keeping me caffeinated...